Search Results (2,318)

The pursuit of efficient drying methods that preserve fruit quality remains a major challenge in food processing. Non-thermal pre-treatments such as ultrasonication (U), edible film coating (F), and osmotic dehydration (O) can improve drying performance but show limited effectiveness when applied individually. This study investigates a combined pre-treatment strategy for pear drying, evaluating a taro starch-based edible coating used alone and in combination with U and O. Pear slices received individual and combined pre-treatments (F, OF, UF, and UOF) prior to drying at temperatures of 60, 70, and 80 °C. The drying kinetics were modeled, and quality parameters such as effective moisture diffusivity (D_eff), rehydration capacity, microstructure, color, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and vitamin C, were assessed. The Page model fitted the drying data the best (R² > 0.9935). UF achieved the shortest drying time and a porous microstructure, thereby enhancing rehydration. OF showed the highest D_eff and best color retention, but the lowest rehydration. Conversely, UOF caused the greatest losses in bioactive compounds (TPC: 54.29 mg GAE/100 g; antioxidant activity: 15.39%; 0.48 mg vitamin C/100 g). Unlike single-technology studies, this sequential pre-treatment strategy for pears uniquely tailors the final quality, targeting efficiency, color, bioactivity, or structural properties. Full article

The use of electronic cigarettes has increased in the U.S. with menthol and mint flavors showing notably higher sales. While research on the bacterial microbiome of traditional tobacco products is growing, particularly regarding menthol and nicotine effects, data regarding potential microbial contaminants within electronic liquids (e-liquids) remain limited. Additionally, the potential antibacterial properties of e-liquids remain sparse. To address these gaps, we evaluated the prevalence of viable bacteria in e-liquids; characterized their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns; and tested the antibacterial activity of the e-liquids. Two e-liquid flavors (menthol and non-menthol) across three different nicotine concentrations (0, 6 and 12 mg/mL) were tested using culture-based methods and Sanger sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and e-liquid antibacterial activity assays were performed using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The majority of the isolates (63.15%) were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus spp. (B. pumilus, B. megaterium and B. cereus). Notably, P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens isolates exhibited multidrug resistance against penicillin, tetracyclines, and phenicols. The e-liquids also demonstrated antimicrobial activity, inhibiting the growth of B. cereus, P. aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, with greater inhibition of P. aeruginosa growth at higher (12 mg/mL) compared to lower (0 mg/mL) nicotine concentrations across the menthol-flavored samples. These findings offer preliminary evidence of viable, multidrug-resistant bacteria and antibacterial properties in e-liquids, underscoring potential public health concerns regarding user exposure risks and microbial interactions, and emphasizing the need for continued surveillance of microbial safety in electronic cigarette products. Full article

Background/Objectives: Overweight and obesity are associated with insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and low-grade inflammation. We evaluated analytical safety and within-person metabolic changes under the Adaptive Ketogenic–Mediterranean Protocol (AKMP) in real-world practice. Methods: Single arm, prospective pre–post cohort. We enrolled 112 adults; 105 completed 14 weeks of AKMP (12 in nutritional ketosis ≤ 20 g carbohydrate/day + 2 of gradual reintroduction). Fasting venous samples were analyzed in accredited laboratories (glycolipid profile, hepatic–renal function, inflammatory markers; insulin, thyroid hormones, cortisol). HOMA-IR, TyG, and remnant cholesterol (RC) were calculated; body composition was measured by segmental bioimpedance. Paired analyses were used, with hierarchical gatekeeping for the conditional co-primary outcome and prespecified Δ~Δ correlations. Results: HOMA-IR −52.8% (Δ −1.80; p < 0.001) and RC −35.1% (Δ −10.64 mg/dL; p < 0.001); fasting glucose −13.7 mg/dL, insulin −5.9 μU/L; TyG −0.23 and TG/HDL-c −1.21 (all p < 0.001). Lipids: TG −35.1% and LDL-c −11.2%; HDL-c remained stable. Anthropometry: weight −14.85 kg (−14.7%) and trunk fat −4.88 kg (−22.2%) (p < 0.001). Safety: no serious adverse events; GGT −47.0%, eGFR +11.0%, and CRP −24.6% (p < 0.001). Prespecified correlations supported the internal consistency of the glycolipid axis (e.g., ΔHOMA-IR~ΔTyG; ΔRC~ΔHOMA-IR). Conclusions: In adults with overweight or obesity, the AKMP was associated with improvements in the glucose–insulin axis, atherogenic profile (RC, TG/HDL-c, TG), and body composition, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. The protocol appears feasible in clinical practice and monitorable with routine laboratory tests, although randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm causality and long-term sustainability. Full article

The Yanlinsi gold deposit, located in the middle section of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt, is one of the typical gold deposits in northeastern Hunan Province. Diabase dikes are exposed by underground workings and drill holes in the mining area. The dikes strike NW and cut the NE-trending gold ore body. To investigate the petrogenetic age, characteristics of the magmatic source area, and tectonic setting of the diabase dikes in the Yanlinsi gold mining area, northeastern Hunan, and to determine the mineralization age of the deposit, in this paper, diabase dike LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and gold-bearing quartz vein LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating were studied. The results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicate that the diabase was emplaced at an age of 219.5 Ma, belonging to the late Indosinian. The investigated diabase dikes are characterized by low SiO₂ (43.68%–46.55%), high MgO (7.78%–9.84%), and high Mg# (65.0–68.7) values, belonging to the alkaline basalt series with high potassium. The chondrite-normalized REEs patterns show highly fractionated LREEs and HREEs ((La/Yb)_N = 11.21–14.82), and the primitive mantle-normalized spider patterns show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, K and Sr) and relative depletion in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and P), similar to those of ocean island-like basalt (OIB). Rock geochemical characteristics indicate that the magma of the Yanlinsi diabase was formed by partial melting of the enriched mantle (EM II), with the source region being spinel-garnet lherzolite. The degree of partial melting was approximately 10%–15%, and the assimilation and contamination with continental crustal materials were weak. Meanwhile, weak fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene, and apatite occurred during the magma evolution process. On the basis of a synthesis of previous research results, it is concluded that the Yanlinsi diabase formed in an extensional tectonic setting after intracontinental collisional orogeny. The LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age of hydrothermal zircons from quartz veins in the main mineralization stage of the Yanlinsi gold deposit is 421.9 ± 1.5 Ma. Combined with the cross-cutting relationships between mafic dikes and gold veins (ore bodies), it is determined that the main mineralization stage of the deposit formed during the Caledonian Period. Full article

In this research, we examined the potential sensor characteristics of branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI)-derived carbon dots (CDs) synthesized using BPEI as a nitrogen source and citric acid (CA) as a carbon source, specifically for the recognition of various metal ions. Among the BPEI CDs produced with different amounts of BPEI to CA BPEI:CA ratios of 0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1 w/w, named as BPEI^0.5 CD, BPEI¹ CD, and BPEI² CD, respectively. The BPEI^0.5 CD, which contains the least BPEI, exhibited the highest fluorescence intensity: 50,300 a.u. in a 0.6 mg/mL solution were recorded as λ_em: 420 nm at λ_ex: 360 nm and 600 V PMT voltage with 5 nm of slit width for both excitation and emission. We investigated the fluorescence variations in BPEI CD-based CDs in 2 mL solutions containing Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions at various concentrations. Amongst these metal ions, the most pronounced sensitivity was noted for Cu²⁺ ions with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.39 ppm. For BPEI CDs created with BPEI:CA ratios of 0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1 w/w, the sensitivity to Cu²⁺ ions increased with a higher BPEI ratio, with a LOD value of 0.30 ppm recorded for BPEI² CDs. Moreover, Cu²⁺ ion solutions were prepared from various salts, including chloride, acetate, nitrate, and sulfate; aside from some fluorescence variation observed for BPEI^0.5 CDs, no significant difference in BPEI CD fluorescence change was observed with the use of the various salt solutions of Cu²⁺ ion. In quenching experiments conducted on mixtures of Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions with Cu²⁺, it was noted that BPEI CDs displayed selectivity for Cu²⁺ ions. Furthermore, the structures of BPEI CDs have been effectively utilized in real water samples, such as tap water and seawater, demonstrating a quenching capability of over 65% in the presence of 50 ppm Cu²⁺ ions. Full article

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a heme-containing oxidoreductase with extensive applications in biotechnology, medical diagnostics, and environmental protection. In this study, Pichia pastoris was utilized to produce HRP. Successfully, expression strains with 1–5 copies of HRP-C were constructed, and the strain with the highest expression level and activity of HRP-C was obtained. Different molecular chaperones (PDI1, HAC1, BIP1) were selected, and co-expression was carried out through co-induction and separate induction methods. The results showed that the yield of HRP increased approximately 1.4 times with the assistance of PDI1 and HAC1 molecular chaperones in the 3-copy Pichia pastoris expression strain, with enzyme activities increasing by 1.2-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively. High-density fermentation of the recombinant strain transformed with BDM-PDI1-HRP-C-3C was carried out in a 50 L fermenter, and after methanol induction for 72 h, a target protein expression level of up to 200 mg/L was achieved. The enzyme activity reached 1796 U/mL, which is nearly three times higher than that of shake-flask fermentation and is the highest reported in the literature to date. Full article

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) typically consist of 2-8 D-galactose units linked together, terminating in a D-glucose unit. GOS are commonly used in dairy products, infant formulas, and functional foods. GOS offer beneficial properties for food processing, such as low caloric value, mild clean taste, and excellent solubility in water. Additionally, GOS function as non-digestible prebiotics, supporting microbiota balance and offering benefits such as promoting infant health, immune modulation, laxative effects, and potential metabolic advantages. β-galactosidase plays a key role in GOS production, catalyzing both hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions. In this study, a putative GH2 family β-galactosidase from Kosakonia oryzendophytica (Koor β-gal) was identified. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity at pH 7.0 and 45–50 °C with the addition of 1 mM Mg²⁺, showing a specific activity of approximately 288.6 U/mg towards o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG). After optimizing the reaction conditions, Koor β-gal successfully produced 124.7 g/L of GOS from 300 g/L D-lactose, achieving a GOS yield of 41.6%. LC-MS analysis revealed that the primary products consisted of GOS with degrees of polymerization (DP) ranging from 2 to 4. Additionally, Koor β-gal was heterologously expressed in Bacillus subtilis following comprehensive optimization of the promoter and 5′-UTR, resulting in an enzyme activity in culture filtrate of 106.2 U/mL after 60 h. Full article

The Apuseni-Banat-Timok-Srednogorie Metallogenic Belt is one of the most important polymetallic metallogenic belts in the western segment of the Tethys, where numerous porphyry-type, skarn-type, and epithermal deposits are developed. However, scholars have noted a lack of systematic chronological and geochemical studies of andesites within this belt. Furthermore, the metallodynamic mechanisms controlling mineralization—such as oceanic plate exhumation and plate tearing—remain controversial. To complement the available research, this study focuses on andesites from the Čukaru Peki area in Serbia and integrates zircon U-Pb dating, molybdenite Re-Os isotopic analysis, and whole-rock geochemical analysis. The results reveal that plagioclase andesitic breccia and fine-grained plagioclase amphibole andesite were emplaced during the Late Cretaceous. Consistently, the molybdenite isochron age (81.46 ± 0.60 Ma, MSWD = 1.30) constrains the mineralization event to the same period. Both rock types exhibit geochemical signatures typical of island arc volcanic rocks, characterized by high SiO₂ contents and low Al₂O₃, MgO, and TiO₂ contents, as well as pronounced fractionation between light and heavy rare earth elements (LREEs and HREEs). The magma source is the mantle wedge metasomatized by fluid-rich melts derived from the dehydration of the subducted oceanic crust. Additionally, the primary magma produced by partial melting of this metasomatized mantle wedge assimilated and was contaminated by continental crustal material predating the Vardar Ocean’s closure during its ascent. Our findings suggest that the regional andesites are products of the exhumation of the Vardar Ocean. This study aims to provide a theoretical foundation for mineral exploration in the Timok ore cluster and, simultaneously, support the identification of ore prospecting targets in andesite alteration zones. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a significant pathogen of clinical concern that is frequently associated with multidrug resistance, leading to respiratory tract, wound, and hospital-acquired infections. To enable rapid and accurate detection, we developed a fluorescence-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, targeting the PA-specific ecfX gene. Among ten primer sets designed, the optimal set (EC2) was identified, and reaction conditions were optimized (Bst polymerase 320 U/mL, Mg²⁺ 8 mM, dNTP 1.4 mM, inner/outer primer ratio 1:8, 64 °C, 20 min). The assay demonstrated a detection limit that was comparable to a real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunochromatographic assays, but with a markedly reduced turnaround time. No cross-reactivity was observed with non-PA pathogens, and reproducibility tests confirmed high stability. In addition, the reliability of the results was further verified using 60 standard bacterial strains, and the feasibility of the assay was validated with 2 real soil samples and 1 water sample. This LAMP method offers a simple, rapid, and sensitive tool for on-site detection of PA, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics and public health surveillance. Full article

Vicadrostat, a selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor, reduced albuminuria with concurrent renin–angiotensin system inhibition and empagliflozin, suggesting additive efficacy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. Specific urinary extracellular vesicle microRNAs (uEV miRNAs) may reflect key mechanisms of kidney injury. We investigated how vicadrostat alone or with empagliflozin affected uEV miRNA expression in study participants. Small RNA sequencing was conducted on uEV miRNAs from 435 participants with CKD who completed 14 weeks treatment in the phase II trial of vicadrostat given with or without empagliflozin. Differentially expressed uEV miRNAs in participants with ≥30% UACR (urine albumin–creatinine ratio) reduction treated with 10 or 20 mg vicadrostat were pooled and evaluated with or without empagliflozin. Changes in miRNA-142-5p correlated significantly with changes in UACR in participants treated with vicadrostat alone, whereas changes in expression of eight additional uEV miRNAs (miR-192-5p, miR-194-5p, miR-6882-5p, miR-27a-5p, miR-381-3p, miR-192-3p, miR-513a-5p, and miR-199b-3p) correlated with ≥30% UACR improvements in patients treated with vicadrostat plus empagliflozin. Cellular deconvolution revealed that these miRNAs were expressed in various kidney cell types. Vicadrostat plus empagliflozin altered uEV miRNAs involved in immunomodulatory and fibrotic pathways irrespective of participant diabetes status. Regulation of miRNAs may provide insights into synergistic mechanisms of vicadrostat and empagliflozin in CKD treatment. Full article

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched eggs are nutritionally valuable for human cardiovascular health and neurodevelopment but face severe lipid oxidation during storage due to DHA’s high degree of unsaturation, which reduces their quality and shelf life. Selenium (Se) mitigates such oxidation, yet the efficacy of different Se sources (organic vs. inorganic) in DHA-enriched eggs remains inadequately quantified. This study investigated the effects of dietary Se sources on Se distribution, internal quality, and oxidative stability of DHA-enriched eggs by feeding 360 Hy-line Brown laying hens (50 weeks old) four diets for 8 weeks: a basal diet (CON; analyzed Se: 0.10 mg/kg), a DHA-enriched microalgae diet (MA; analyzed Se: 0.11 mg/kg), or MA supplemented with 0.25 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (MA + SS) or selenium yeast (MA + SY). At the end of the feeding trial, eggs were collected and stored at 22 °C for 0, 15, or 30 days to evaluate internal quality and oxidative stability. Results showed that SY was significantly more effective than SS in enriching Se in eggs: the total Se content in whole eggs of MA + SY (18.82 mg) was 39.6% higher than that of MA + SS (13.48 mg), with albumen Se content in MA + SY (0.239 mg/kg) being 2.17-fold that of MA + SS (0.110 mg/kg). Supplementation with DHA alone (MA diet) negatively impacted stored egg quality: at 30 days of storage, the Haugh unit (HU) of MA (54.93) was 10.6% lower than that of CON (61.48), and yolk thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARSs, 495.8 μg MDA/kg) was 22.9% higher than that of CON (403.3 μg MDA/kg). However, both Se sources improved these parameters, with SY showing a more pronounced effect: at 30 days, MA + SY had a higher yolk GPX activity (58.10 U/g protein, 12.1% higher than MA + SS) and lower yolk TBARSs (361.2 μg MDA/kg, 11.6% lower than MA + SS), while its HU (62.97) was restored to 99.2% of CON’s level. The superior efficacy of SY was attributed to greater Se deposition and enhanced GPX activity, which jointly reduced lipid and protein oxidation. These findings confirm SY as the preferred Se supplement for producing nutritionally enhanced DHA-enriched eggs with improved storage stability. Full article

Background: Dotinurad (DOT) has demonstrated beneficial metabolic effects in preclinical models as a selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor. However, its clinical impact on steatotic liver disease (SLD) with hyperuricemia (HU-SLD) remains unclear. Methods: This observational pilot study evaluated 33 patients with HU-SLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: n = 20; Metabolic dysfunction-associated alcohol-related liver disease: n = 1; Alcohol-related liver disease: n = 12) treated with DOT for at least 6 months. Laboratory parameters were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. The primary outcomes were changes in serum uric acid levels, hepatobiliary function markers, and renal function markers. Results: DOT significantly reduced serum uric acid levels from 8.4 (7.7–9.0) to 6.0 (5.9–6.8) mg/dL at 6 months (p < 0.001). Regarding hepatobiliary markers, gamma-glutamyl transferase decreased from 47 (30–78) to 43 (27–54) U/L (p = 0.042) and total bilirubin decreased from 0.6 (0.5–1.0) to 0.6 (0.4–0.7) mg/dL (p = 0.023). Significant but modest improvements in renal function were also observed, with serum creatinine decreasing from 1.1 (0.9–1.3) to 1.0 (0.9–1.1) mg/dL (p = 0.010) and estimated glomerular filtration rate increasing from 55.6 (44–67.3) to 56.6 (48.8–71.5) mL/min/1.73 m² (p = 0.007). No significant changes were observed for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, fibrosis-related markers, lipid profiles, or glycemic markers. Moreover, no treatment discontinuations or adverse events were recorded during the study period. Conclusions: DOT effectively reduced serum uric acid and modestly improved renal and hepatobiliary parameters in HU-SLD without any patient-reported complications. These real-world findings support the potential of DOT as a well-tolerated therapeutic option beyond urate lowering and warrant further investigation in larger, controlled studies. Full article

Studies in cervical and prostate cancer cells have reported that frequent consumption of foods rich in glycine betaine (GB) and choline have beneficial effects against some types of cancer. However, the role of GB against the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of GB on p53 and caspase-3 expression, which regulate cellular processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively, on HT-29 cells. HT-29 cells were treated with GB at 5 mg/mL, 15.6 mg/mL, 31.2 mg/mL, and 62.5 mg/mL, after which RNA purification and cDNA synthesis were performed, followed by qPCR to detect the relative expression of p53 and caspase-3, using GAPDH as a reference gene, and protein levels were determined by ELISA. Results indicated that in HT-29 cells treated with GB at 62.5 mg/mL, the protein levels of p53 significantly (p < 0.05) increased to 45 U/mL, as compared with cells without GB (21 U/mL), whereas caspase-3 increased to 30 ng/mL, as compared with control cells (20.13 ng/mL). Therefore, we conclude that GB at high concentrations decreases cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells. Full article

Objectives: This paper reports the preclinical evaluation of stable tumor-specific gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) activated by neutron irradiation as a therapeutic option for the treatment of cancers characterized by high tumor angiogenesis. Methods: A selection of promising AuNPs with high avidity to α_vβ₃-expressing glioma (U-87 MG) cells (IC₅₀ = 82–104 nM) were chosen with different surface loading of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides as tumor targeting vectors for integrin α_vβ₃, a target which is overexpressed in tissues displaying high tumor angiogenesis. Three different [¹⁹⁸Au]AuNPs were evaluated applying three injection methods, intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (i.p.), and intratumoral (i.t.), each in a group of six U-87 MG xenograft–bearing mice (54 female athymic nude mice in total). Their biodistribution and tumor accumulation was assessed by in vivo imaging within 1–7 days after injection and 7 days after injection by ex vivo measurement. Results: The developed [¹⁹⁸Au]AuNPs exhibited suboptimal biodistribution by i.v. application (accumulation pattern tail > liver > spleen, no significant tumor accumulation) and by i.p. application (accumulation pattern spleen >> liver > pancreas, slight tumor accumulation of <0.3 %ID/g). However, an acceptable biodistribution by i.t. application was observed (5.5 %ID/g in liver, 4.9 %ID/g in spleen, and 3.0 %ID/g in tumor). Conclusions: Despite the very promising in vitro results, the in vivo evaluation suggests that the [¹⁹⁸Au]AuNPs represent a platform for the development of restricted therapeutic strategies. Full article

Soil heavy metal pollution is becoming increasingly severe, while traditional remediation methods are inefficient and lack long-term stability. This study innovatively combines electrokinetic remediation (EK), microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), and biochar for synergistic stabilization of contaminated soil. It evaluates the combined technology by comparing it with individual EK and MICP treatments through chemical speciation analysis and the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The concentration of 1 mol/L urea–CaCl₂ was identified as optimal for microbial activity, achieving a microbial cell density (OD₆₀₀) of 1.0, a urease activity of 12 U/g, and a soil pH maintained within the range of 7.8–8.2. Corn stover biochar significantly enhanced urease activity—being 49.4% higher than that in the coconut shell biochar group and 25% higher than that in the bamboo biochar group—and increased the microbial survival rate by 25.4%. Group D1, which adopted the sequence of “EK treatment first, followed by biochar-synergized MICP treatment,” exhibited the best performance. It achieved stabilization efficiency of 51.90%, 73.40%, and 36.26% for bioavailable Cu, Cd, and Pb, respectively—all higher than those of individual EK and MICP treatments. Additionally, the residual fractions of heavy metals increased significantly, the leaching concentration of Cd in the anode region was below 1 mg/L, and energy consumption was 12.16% lower than that of the EK group. Microstructural analysis confirmed that the combined method promoted the formation of stable calcite, thereby improving soil aggregation and alleviating soil compaction. These findings collectively validate the proposed technology as a highly effective and sustainable strategy for stabilizing heavy metal-contaminated soil. Full article